Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand held a public sparring session at Osaka’s Green Tsuda Boxing Gym on Oct. 23 in preparation for his challenge against World Boxing Association light flyweight super champion Hiroto Kyoguchi on Nov. 3 in Osaka, the first men’s world title match in Japan since the pandemic of the novel coronavirus earlier this year.

The 20-year-old Thai, ranked 10th in the division, went two rounds with fellow countryman and former World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai. He also held a one-round of punch mitt and a round of shadowboxing, respectively.

According to his manager, ‘’Thanongsak had had some 100 rounds of sparring in Thailand. So, it is not necessary to rush here. We will gradually adjust ourselves to the bout in about 10 days.’’ Thanongsak has 14 straight wins, including 12 knockouts,

The three Thais were isolated at a condominium for two weeks after arriving in Japan on Oct. 7 in accordance with the regular COVID-19 prevention procedures, during which they were in separate rooms and conducted training at a living room.

Thanongsak, a former Muay Thai kick boxer, came out of the condominium on Oct. 22 for the first time since the isolation, and said, ‘’I felt as if my new life started. Kyoguchi has a lot of stamina and a strong left hook to the body. But I am determined to fight with all my heart. Kyoguchi, 26, is also undefeated in 14 bouts, nine by KO. It will be Kyoguchi’s third defense of the title he won in December 2018.

The scheduled 12-round championship fight will be held at INTEX Osaka, one of the multipurpose event spaces in Osaka’s Suminoe Ward. The bout will be shown live via YouTube broadcast from 8 p.m. on the fight night, the first world title match broadcast in Japan via YouTube.